straighten

verb

straight·​en ˈstrā-tᵊn 

straightened; straightening ˈstrāt-niŋ 

ˈstrā-tᵊn-iŋ

transitive verb

1

: to make straight

—usually used with out

straightened out his legs

2

: to make neat or tidy

—usually used with up or out

straightened up the room

straightened out the papers

intransitive verb

: to become straight

—usually used with up or out

stopped slouching and straightened up

The river curves and then straightens out.

straightener

ˈstrāt-nər 

ˈstrā-tᵊn-ər

noun

Synonyms of straighten

• unbend
• uncurl

Examples of straighten in a Sentence

He straightened the bent antenna.

The drooping flowers straightened in the rain.

Recent Examples on the Web

High Plank Hold From Forearm Side Plank (Left Side), place both palms on the ground and straighten your arms, return to High Plank. —Jenny McCoy, Outside, 23 Mar. 2026

Make sure the tires reconnect with the road - During the skid, wait until the tires reconnect with the road and then gently straighten the wheels to regain control. —Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 22 Mar. 2026

Ahead, experts share their best tips for how to straighten curly hair safely. —Grace McCarty, Glamour, 20 Mar. 2026

Her partner, Larry Steele, came down the stairs in a tux, and Carter straightened his bow tie. —Michael Schulman, New Yorker, 16 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1525, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Phrases Containing straighten

• straighten out
• straighten up

Rhymes for straighten

• aten
• clayton
• satan
• statin
• creatine

Kids Definition

straighten

verb

straight·​en ˈstrāt-ᵊn 

straightened; straightening ˈstrāt-niŋ 

-ᵊn-iŋ

: to make or become straight

—usually used with up or out

straighten up a room

straightened out the problem

straightener

ˈstrāt-nər 

-ᵊn-ər

noun